DATE: December 17, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Sanja Bugay, Director, Department of Social Services
SUBJECT: Resolution Accepting Transitional Housing Program and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program Funding
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Resolution authorizing the Department of Social Services to apply for and accept the Transitional Housing Program ($766,206) Round 6 and the Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program ($565,029) Round 3 allocations administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development; and
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Social Services, or their designee, to execute grant-related documents, including the Allocation Acceptance Forms for both programs.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended actions will allow the Department of Social Services (Department) to complete the allocation acceptance processes with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for the Transitional Housing Program (THP) and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program (HNMP) funding allocations designed to assist youth, aged 18 to 24 years old, to secure and maintain housing. The Department Director, or their designee, will be authorized to execute grant-related documents, including the Allocation Acceptance Forms and claims; however, the related Standard Agreements will be brought to the Board for approval at a later date. These allocations will be used to support housing support programs for youth aged 18 to 24 years old, prioritizing those formerly in the foster care or probation system. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should your Board choose not to approve the recommended actions, the Department would forfeit a total of $1,331,235 in THP and HNMP funding intended to assist with housing services for young adults residing in the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. If approved, the Department will complete the allocation acceptance processes to receive $766,206 for the THP and $565,029 for the HNMP funding, which will be available for two years from the effective dates of the fully executed Standard Agreements.
DISCUSSION:
HCD has allocated both THP and HNMP grant funding to assist young adults with obtaining and maintaining housing, with priority given to those formerly in the foster care or probation systems.
On October 9, 2024, HCD issued an Allocation Acceptance form under Round 6 of the THP authorized by the Budget Act of 2023 (Chapter 12 of the Statutes of 2023) and Chapter 11.7 (commencing with Section 50807) of Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code. THP is to be prioritized to those currently or formerly in the foster care or probationary system. THP provides funding to identify and assist with housing services to provide housing stability. THP may also be used to provide engagement and outreach, targeting to those with the most severe needs.
In addition, on October 9, 2024, HCD issued an Allocation Acceptance form under Round 3 of the HNMP authorized by the Budget Act of 2023 (Chapter 12 of the Statues of 2023) and Chapter 11.8 (commencing with Section 50811) of Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code. HNMP is to be prioritized to those currently or formerly in the foster care system. HNMP funding is intended to support Housing Navigator staff to assist young adults to secure and maintain housing including emergency support, to prevent young adults from becoming homeless, and make linkages to key resources in the community. HNMP funding was previously known as the Housing Navigators Program (HNP) and has been updated by HCD to also include housing maintenance as a central activity.
The first round of THP was received as of December 30, 2020. The first round of HNMP (formerly HNP) was received as of January 12, 2021. Since the initial rounds of THP and HNMP, the funds have continued to be received with increased amounts each round. Current rounds of THP and HNMP are being used to support Transitional Housing Program Plus (THP-Plus) and Family Unification Program (FUP) case management services provided by Aspiranet, Inc. to assist former foster or former probation youths with obtaining and maintaining safe housing. The Department intends to direct THP Round 6 and HNMP Round 3 grant funding towards continuing THP-Plus and FUP services.
With your Board’s approval of the recommended actions, the Department will complete the applications for THP Round 6 and HNMP Round 3 funding. If the THP and/or HNMP funds remain available for allocation after the deadline for submitting a signed Allocation Acceptance Form, and if the County is eligible for additional allocations from the THP and/or HNMP programs, the County would be authorized and directed to accept the additional allocations up to $1,532,412 and $1,130,058, respectively. While the Department Director or their designee will be authorized to execute allocation-related documents, including the Allocation Acceptance Forms, the Standard Agreements will be brought to your Board for approval. Agreements or amendments for services supported by THP and HNMP funding will also be brought before your Board for approval at a future date as appropriate.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #61, April 9, 2024
BAI #47, January 9, 2024
BAI #54, March 24, 2020
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Dylan McCully